Tank or container.



J. F. WEBB'.

TANK 0R CONTAINER. APPLIUATION FILED AUG.2,1909.

1,007,828. Panm Nov. 7,1911.

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JEAN F. WEBB, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

TANri on cONTAINER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' Patenten Nov. 7, 1911.

Application filed August 2, 1909. Serial No. 510,711.

To all whom 'it may concewz.:

Be it known that I, JEAN F. WEBB, Ares'lding at Denver, in the county of Denver and `State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tanks or Containers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a tank or container for gasolene or other highly inflammable fluids, andthe invention primarily has for its object to provide a tank for the purposes stated wherein means are provided for protecting the inlets and outlets to the tank from fire to prevent the ignition of the contents of the tank, and wherein means are also provided in case of the proximity of fire and undue heat, to admit a fire extinguishing compound tothe contents of the tank proper to render thev contents of the tank non-explosive and non-inflammable. .In the art as practiced today when gasolene and other similar explosive land inflammable fluids are handled, they are keptin a tank of vthe ordinary construction "and, it

'f sometimes has been the custom to provide a drip-pan beneath the tank into whichthe contents of the tank may drop in case of leakage, and from which pan the fluid is been the practice in .small cans or recepr. tacles for such fluidsto provide means to preventa fiame reaching the interior of the can, and it has further been suggested in practice to provide a double tank, that is,

f a tank within a tank,` whereby the outer tank may receive any leakage from the inner tank: All such devices, however, while useful in` so far as they go'do not afford the required protection to render them practically successful, si-nce they failed to provide .means for protecting the contents of the main tank to the extent required in practice.

In -carryin out my invention I provide a main tank for containing the vcombustib/le fluid and surround such tank withfan outer tank, the inner tank being? spaced from thewalls of the outer tank and the spaces be tween the two tanks being filled with a fire extinguishing compound. The conduits which conduct the fluid into the outer land the inner tanks pass through the walls of the outer tank and means are provided in such conduits and located within the outer tank whereby in case of undue heat of thev .further modification of the device. is a perspective view of the form shown in tanks to permit the fire extinguishing compoundof the outer tank to flow into the inner` tank and by uniting with the contents thereof render the contents of the inner tank non-explosive and non-inflammable, and at of communication between the inner and outer tanks for the purposes above stated.

My invention also includes an improved therniostatic valve and fire vchecking device that is connectible in the inlet and outlet passages tol and from the inner tank.

.-My invention further resides in those novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will ,be hereinafter first .fully described, then specifically pointed out in theclaims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, K in which conveyed to a place ofsafety. Ithas also i Figure l, is a view illustrating the application of my invention to a gasolene tankV ,for use on motor vehicles, kmotor boats and the like. Fig. 2, is an enlarged central, vertical, longitudinal section of uthe thermostatic valve and fire checking device. y Fig. 3, is a similar view lof a slightly modified form of such device. Fig. 4, is an inverted plan View of the mechanism shown in Figs.

2 andv 3.. Fig. 5, is a detail view of one of the fine mesh screens. Fig. 6, is a similar vievxT of one ofthe coarse mesh screens. Fig. 7, 1s a simllar view to Figs. 2 and 3, of a Fig. 8,

Fi'g. 7. Figs. 9 and 10, 'are detail views of parts of the invention. y

I have, for convenience of illustration, shown my invention as adapted for use as a tank for motor boats, motor vehicles and the like, although I wish it understood that the invent-ion may be also used for storage tanks, large'stat-ionary containers or small portable containers as circumstances :and conditions may warrant and I do not wish to -be confined to the particular use of theinvention set forthin this specification and the drawings accompanying the same.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in which vlike letters and numerals of reference indicate like parts in all of the figures, 1 designates 'the outer tank which has a closed end head l? and' a'removable head v1c that is securedto a'liange '1b on the tank 1 by bolts 1d, as shown, a suitable packing being interposed as indicated in Fig. 1 lof the drawings. 2 represents th'e main or inner tank which is adapted to contain the intiammable fluid' and this tank as wellas the tank 1 may be of any approved construction, it beingspaced4 from the outer L tank 1 by spacing feet or'members 3 secured to the tank 4rep'resentsa union flange member secured to the outertank 1 over. the inlet aperture thereto and the flange union 4 is,

threaded to vreceive a cap,5 having va'Y pack- Y, ing 6g whereby atight closure may Vbe effected. On the bottom of the' tank V1, a Hange unionv7, similar to that 4, is provided and fa cap 8 and packing 9 are also provided to 'coperate with the member 7 to form an 'The-inner ,1t-ank orcontainer 2 has a. Huid'- linlet 10 -`which is .surrounded by aflange union 11-to which .the 'thermostatic valve 4and name-bathe box 20 is secured, such memprojects through the flange member of .a I stulng box 'or gland, 12 that is secured'to 'thej-topof the tank 1, the iange member 13 and a packing 14,to' effect an airtight closure'where the:.pipe 1 5 passes through thetank 1. Threaded into the pipe 15 and projectingA throughthecap 13 is a second plpe 1,6 having threaded'portions 17 andV adapted tobe 'closedby a cap 1 8, anda packing 19, as shown, whereby when the cap 18 is removed the fluid may be'admtted to Y the tank 2. I provide asecond or -air outlet opening 25 in the tank2fsurrounded by a- 'flange union 26 to which Aa; screen baffle box member 20 is connected, and the member 20 is in turn'connected to a pipe 30 that passes through the flange`member'27 of a second V'stuffing boX or gland, which member 27;has

a cap 28 and packing 29 to form 'a 'fluidtight passage for thepipe 30 into whicl1 the air escape cap orplug 31 is threaded. The

` VV-pl'ug 31 may be provided with a seriesofv apertures 31a'so that air may be vpermitted to enter when. the plug 31 is more or less unscrewed, to permit the air to take theV ber 20 being also-secured toa pipe 15 which ofthe stufling box orgland 12 having a cap.

the pipe section 15a into which the off-take pipe 16ais threaded and with which another A.the'rmostatic valve and dame baille box 20 is connected, the member 20 being in turn connected vto a flange union '11 that surrounds the outlet aperture 10 of the tank 2. The construction of the member 20 is best disclosed in Fig. 2 of the drawings, by ref'- 'erence-to which it will be seen that 'I provide a casting 20a of cup-shapehaving one end open andthreaded at 2Od vto receive the threaded flange 20e of a cap 20F. The cap .20f is provided with a threaded extension 20g, apertured as at 20, while the casting 20 has an oppositely disposed threaded member 20h which is also apertured as at 20, the apertures 20h and 20. preferably lying in alinement.

l/Vithin vthe boX formed by tbe casting 20 and cap 20, I place a pair of spacing rings 22 between which'and the walls of the"b`ox 20 'a plurality Vof wire screensv 23-24 are disposed. The 4screens 23 are of heavy mesh, while-those 24 are of fine mesh, and the fine mesh screens are spaced apart from one another by interposingA thei h eavy mesh screens 23 between them, as indicated.\ The number of screens 23-24 and rings 22 that may be used in the member20 will Vary as conditions may make necessary, and I do notdesire toy be limited to any specific number. f

The member 2'0 when used simply as a flame cheekis constructed as just described, but when it is toperform the additional function of a thermostatic valve the cap ,20l

is apertured as at 20F, which aperturesare' filled withsoftsolder 21, or other substance which will melt at a low temperature.

If desired, I may omit the spacing4 rings 22,as indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and simply use alternate layersof line mesh screen 24 and heavy mesh screen 23, as shown. I v

In the forms of my invention shown in Figs. 7 and 8 o fv the drawings, I provide a pair of disks- 32 each having-a central prove@ f.

`jectedthreaded portion 32' having a bore 32b preferably alining with one another. Between the disks 32 a strip of metal 33 is bent into ring-like form and has its ends 33-33a soldered together as at 35, While the edges of the strip 33 are soldered to the .;disks 32, as at 34, to form a housing for the .spacing rings 22, and the screens 23 and 24,

it being understood that the solder 34-35 is softV solder that will readily melt at a given temperature.

the practical appllcationof my invention, as a gasolene tank, thevtank 1 is filled wit-ha fire extinguishing compound 36 that may consist of anysubstance, either fluid or viscous, that will render the gasolene 37 nonexplosive or non-inflammable, as may be desix-ed'. Any Well known fire extinguishing compound 36 may be used that will perform the function stated. In the operation should fire .surround the tank 1, thc contents of the tank 2 will be protected from such fire by the fluid contents 36 of the tank 1, since the slve or non-inflammable, as the case may be.

Should a sudden heating of the tanks take place, as in the case of an explosion adjacent to the tank or flame passing into any of the inlet or 'outlet openings to the tank 2, such flame will be stopped by the screens 23 and 24 on the well known-principle of the Davy lamp, while at the same time if the heat is suiiicient, the solder 21 will be melted and the fire extinguishing compound 36 will be permittedto enter the baffle boxes 2O and the tank 2, as required. It will also be observed that by constructing a tank on the lines indicated in the drawings, the parts may be readily assembled or taken apart, and by providing the fire extinguishing compound 36. in the Outer tank lr, shgould l.. any leakage take place in the tankf2thcon;-VY

tents 37' of such tank by contact with the fire extinguishing compound 36 at the .point of leakage will be rendered non-explosive or non-iniammable.

As before stated I have shown my invention as adapted for use on motor vehicles, motor boats and the like yet my invention may be readily adapted for use wherever' it is found necessary to storeor pack inflammable fluids and the like.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is thought the complete construction,- operation and numerous advantages of my invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which theinvention appertains.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus of the character stated, a tank comprising a closed inner and an outer container, uid inlet and outlet con'- duits to the inner container, a vrelatively poor conductor of heat interposed between said containers.to concentratel external heat in the conduits, and means for admitting said container, fluid inlet land outlet conduits to the inner container, a relatively poor conductor fof heat interposed between said containers to concentrate external heat in the conduits, and means-in said conduit-s for opening up communication `between said in- L ner and outer containers.

f3. A tank comprising anyouter container and an inner container, conduits passing through said outer container and communicating with said inner container, flame battle boxes included in said conduits between said containers, and a heat insulating material within said outer container and surrounding said baffle boxes.

4. A tank comprising an inner andan outer container, conduits passing through said outer container and communicating with said inner container, andliame baffle boxes included in said conduits and located within the outer container.

5. A tank comprising an inner and an` outer container, conduits passing through said outer container and communicating with said inner container, flame baiie boxes included in said conduits, a fluid in said outer container, and thermally controlled means for opening communication between said inner and outer containers.

6. A tank'comprising an in ner and an outer container, conduits passing through `said outer container and communicating with said inner container, flamahaiile boxes included in' said conduits and located within the outercontainer, a. fluid in said outer container, and thermally controlled means for opening communication between said inner and outer containers.

7. A -tank comprising an inner and an outer container, conduits passing through said outer container and communicatingwith said inner container,lame battle boxes' included in said conduits and-located within t-he outer container, andl thermally controlled means for opening said flame baille boxes to open communication between 'the inner and outer containers.A

8. An. apparatus ofthe class described" comprising a tank formed of an inner and an outer container, means for spacing t-he inner container from the wallsof the outer container, a lire extinguishing compound within the space between said containers, inlet and outlet conduits for saidrinner container passing through said outer container,

and means interposed in said conduits for opening communication between the inner andl outer containers.

49. Anapparatus of the class described comprising a tank formed of an inner and an outer container, means `for spacing the inner container from the walls of the outer container, a fire extinguishing compound 'within the space between said containers,

inlet and outlet conduits for said inner container, and flame baffle boxes connected in' tainer passing through said outer container, means interposed in said conduits for opening communication between the inner and outer containers, and dame bali/ling or checking devices also interposed in-said conduits. 10. An apparatus of the class described comprising a -tank'formed of' an inner and an outer container, means-'for spacing the inner container from the walls of the outer container, -a fire extinguishing compound "within the space betweenv said containers,

inlet and outlet conduits for said inner container passing through said outer container, means interposed in said conduits for opening communica-tion'between the inner and outer containers, and said outer container having4 a filling opening opening.

11. An. comprising a ytank formed 'of an inner and an 4outer container, means :tor spacing the inner container from the walls of the outer container,-a fire extinguishing compound within, the space between said containers, inlet and out-let conduits for said inner container passing through said outer container,

means interposedin said conduits for opening communication between the inner and outer containers, flame vbailling or checking devices also interposed in .said conduits,and said outer container having a filling opening and a draining opening.

12. An apparatus of the character stated comprising an inner andan outer container,

and spacing means for -spacing said containers a art, a fire extinguishing compound filling t -e space between said containers, means through which said compound may be introduced -into` said outer container, conduits passing through said outer container and communicating with said inner consaid conduits within the outer container.

13'. An apparatus of the character stated comprisingan inner and an outer container,

and spacing means for spacing said conh4 14. An .apparatus'of the class described comprising a tank formed of an inner and an outer container, means for spacing the inner container lfrom the walls of the l outer container,l a. fire extinguishing compound within the space between said containers,

inlet `and outlet conduits for said inner con-V tainer-passing through said outer container,

means interposed in said conduits for openand a draining.

apparatus of .the class described ing communication between the inner and outer containers, said outer container having a filling opening and a draining opening. 15. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tank formed of an inner and an outer container, means for spacing the inner container from the walls of the outer container, a firel extinguishing compound within the space between said containers, inlet .and outlet conduits for said inner container passing through said outer container, means interposed in said conduits for opening communication between the inner and outer containers, flame baffling or checking devices also interposed in said conduits, said outer container having a filling opening and. a draining. opening.

16. An apparatus of the character stated comprising an inner and an outer container,

y and spacing means for spacing said containers apart, a fire extinguishing compound-filling the space between said conta1ners,mea ns through which -said compound may be-introduced into said outer container, conduits passing through said outer container and communicating with said inner container,

i flame baile boxes connected .in said conduits within the outer container, and means for opening communication between said conduits Vand the interior of said outer con tainer.

17. :An apparatus of the character stated comprising an'inner and an outer container,

and spacing means for spacing said containers apart, a fire extinguishing compound filling the space between said containers, meansthrough which said compound may be introduced into said outer container, conduits passing through said outer container -and communicating lwith said kinner container,

flame baf'de boxes connected in vsaid conduits within the outer container', and surrounded by the fire extinguishing compound within the outer container, and means for opening communication between said conduits and the interior of saidl outer container.

18. In an apparatus ofA the character stated, a flame bafiie device comprising a receptacle or box having an inlet and an outlet and a series of alternately disposed fine and A"coarse mesh screens withinsaid box and in contact with one another.

19. In an `apparatus of the character coarse mesh screens Within said boxand in- .contact witlione another, said box having apertures `and a filler for said apertures having a low melting point.

. 20. A. iiame bafiie box comprising a cuplike body havingan inlet and a cap thread- .ed into said cup-like body, saidcap having a passage, a plurality of sets of screens Within @st-ated, a combined thermostaticvalve and vflame bafiling device comprising a recepitacle or box having an inlet and an outlet, a series of alternately disposed fine and said boX, spacing rings interposed lbetween and draining ports, glands surrounding said certain of said-sets,l each of said sets com prisiug a plurality 'of alternately disposed -ine and .coarse mesh screens, substantially as shown and described.

21. A flame baile box'. and thermostatic valrecon'iprising a cup-like body and a cap therefor, a iiamebaiiling screen mounted' within said body, said` body and said cap having passages, saidbox having apertures, and plugs of a -material of lower melting point than the materialtof' the box proper filling said apertures.

22, A tank comprising an outer container including a, Yremovable head and a closed container' removably lheld within said outer container and spaced from the walls thereof, conduits passing through ,the outer container to communicate with the inner container, and means for opening said conduits tov openv up communication between the outer and innerr containers under. predetermined conditions.

23. A tank comprising an outercontainer having a removable head and an inner container removably held within said outer' containerand spaced from tlre Walls there-` of, conduits passing through the outer container to communicate with the inner container, said outer container having filling conduits for the inner container, and means, for opening'sald conduits W1th1n the outer container to open up communication be-V said outer container and communicatmg` lwlth sald lnner conta1ner,'and means in said.

conduit for opening communication under predetermined conditions between said inner and outer containers.

25. A tank comprising an inner and an outer container, Aa conduit passing through said outer container and communicating with said inner'container, a flame baille boxincluded in Said conduit and` located within said outer container and thermally controlled means for opening said baliie box to establish communication between the inner and outer containers'.

26. A tankcomprising an inner and an outer container, a conduit passing throughl said outer -container and communicating with said inner container, a flame balile box included in said conduit and located within said outer container; tlaerr'nally` cont-rolled means for opening said battle box to establish communication between the inner and outer containers, and a fluld 1n said outer container and immersing said inner cpn-v tainer. l

J EANl F. WEBB. Witnesses:

` GRACE I. HIoKoK,

' FLOYD F. WAL-POLE. 

